The Smith Machine Decline Bench Press is a variation of the standard decline bench press. Instead of performing the exercise with a barbell the Smith Machine Decline Bench Press is performing within the Smith Machine.

All decline bench press movements differ from the standard bench press movement in that decline movements are done with the bench at an approximate 30 degree decline angle. By performing the exercise using a decline angle the exercise targets the lower chest, while calling more on the triceps, rather than the deltoid for muscle support. Since the upper chest and middle chest are typically harder to develop and require more intensity, and the exercise also calls upon the smaller tricep muscle for support, most decline movements are usually performed after the bench press or incline bench press; and only as a complimentary chest building exercise.

Basic Chest Physiology

The chest is a major muscle which consists of the pectoralis major and minor. Other names for this muscle group include: Chest, Pecs, Pectoralis Major, Pectoralis Minor, Pecs. For bodybuilding purposes the chest can be divided into 5 areas of concentration:

Upper Chest

Middle Chest

Lower Chest

Inner Chest

Outer Chest

Smith Machine Decline Bench Press Overview

Main Muscle(s) Worked: Chest; Pectoralis Major, Sternal

Other Muscles Worked: Triceps

Equipment: Smith Machine, Decline Bench

Mechanics Type: Compound (An exercise that involves two or more joint movements).

Force: Push (Movement away from center of body during the concentriccontraction of the target muscle).

Utility: Basic (A principal exercise that can place greater absolute intensity on muscles exercised relative to auxiliary exercises. Basic exercises tend to be gravity dependent, have an inclusion or shift of resistance through multiple muscle group throughout the range of motion (e.g. bench press: front deltoid to pectoralis major to triceps) and have a natural transfer of torsion force to compression force (e.g., lockout on squat, bench press, etc.) or tension force (e.g. extension of arm curl) to the bone(s) and joint(s) during full range of motion.

When you use a Smith Machine, the machine stabilizes the motion for you throughout the entire range. This makes it easier for you to perform the motion safely, but the problem is that you will not recruit muscle fibers used to stabilize the motion as you would using free weights. As a result, the level of development for both muscle mass and strength will be lower while using the Smith machine than while using free weights. .

Set Up for Smith machine Decline Bench Press

Move a decline bench into the Smith Machine Rack.

Set your bench up so that you have it at approximately a 30 degree decline. It doesn't matter if it's a bit higher, but don't want to go any lower than that.

Lay down and test the bench first, before putting any weight on the bar. When you bench press on an decline bench, you want the bar to hit your lower chest, so make sure the bench is in position.

Once the position is right you can load the bar with the desired weight.

Smith Machine Decline Bench Press Instructions

Lie face up on the bench.

Plant feet flat on floor, head, back and butt firmly against the bench.

Grab the bar with an overhand grip slightly wider than shoulder width.

Twist the bar to unlock the bar from the safety hooks.

Raise your rib cage (doing this takes the lats (back) out of the movement and increases the intensity on the chest muscles.

Lower the bar to upper chest while inhaling, pause briefly.

Exhale while driving weight straight up over chest until elbows are almost locked (do NOT lock out)

Squeeze the chest muscle to get maximum contraction.

Slowly lower weight back down to upper chest and repeat.

Once you have finished your set, twist the Smith Machine bar to lock back the weight.

Common Errors While Performing the Smith MachineDecline Bench Press

Using too much weight. A common mistake for many novice lifters is lifting too much weight. Make sure to use correct weight that will allow you to use proper form and full range of motion.

Bouncing and jerking weight. This is referred to as cheating and will take the emphasis of the chest. You can also injure the chest and sternum if bouncing the bar off the chest. Touching the chest gently is what should be done.

Performing the movement too fast. Performing the movement too fast doesn't allow you to fully recruit as many muscle fibers and reduce the effectiveness of the exercise.

Smith Machine Decline Bench Press Tips

Begin with a light weight to practice good form and control and properly warm up the shoulder girdle.

Use a spotter. Although The Smith Machine is a great way to lift heavier weights without the fear of dropping the weight of your chest, it's still useful to use a spotter. A spotter can also help you get those last few reps out!

Position the decline bench correctly. When positioning the bench underneath the machine, make sure you have it in the right place. This means it should not only be centered under the Smith Machine side to side, but the bench should be positioned so that the bar comes down to slightly above the lower middle of the chest.

Use a smooth and controlled motion. This will avoid cheating which in turn will take the emphasis off the chest.

Variations of the Smith Machine Decline Bench Press

Variations are intended to work different subgroups of muscles, or work the same muscles in slightly different ways. There are plenty of variations to this strength exercise. Some other variations of the Smith Machine Incline Bench Press include:

Barbell Decline Bench Press. Same movements as detailed above but using a barbell. Using free weight movements rather than machine movements employ different muscle fibers. Free weights (barbells and dumbbells) will actually recruit more muscle fibers because you need to stabilize the motion by yourself.

Dumbbell Decline Bench Press. Same movement as detailed above but with dumbbells. Barbells and dumbbells recruit additional muscle when training, because you need to stabilize the motion by yourself. Dumbbell movements are also good to throw into the mix because the arms can work independently of one another, allowing for a deeper stretch at bottom of movement. The deeper stretch also allows for a stronger conytraction and again the recruitment of more muscle fibers. This both can lead to better growth and bigger gains.

Machine Decline Bench. Same movement as detailed above but using different types of machines.

Cable Decline Bench Press. Same movement as above but using cables which will allow a deeper stretch at the bottom of movement.

Additional Exercises to Compliment Smith Machine Incline Bench Press

No exercise program should consist of machines alone, and no exercise program should consist of free weights alone. Variety in the type of exercises you incorporate is exactly what you need to develop your body. When creating a workout plan for any body part, including the chest it is good to include both machines and free weights, dumbbells and barbells, and cables, mix up the angles and positioning so that you work the body part from different angles. It is also good to include isolation movements as well as compound movements too! Following this principle will allow you to work the chest with the maximum variety and work the maximum number of muscle fibers. The more fibers you recruit the more success you will have. The following are a few suggested exercises that would compliment the Smith Machine Decline Bench Press:

Incline Dumbbell Fly. Is an isolated dumbbell fly movement that targets the Pectoralis Major, Sternal when properly done will give a full width stretch of chest muscles while concentrating mostly on the upper and on the center of the chest. It is a great complimentary exercise to the Smith Machine Decline Press because (1) it works the upper part of the chest instead of the upper part; and (2) as a free weight dumbbell exercise the decline dumbbell fly utilizes more muscle stabilizers required to balance and control the weight during exercise execution.

Barbell Incline Bench Press. The Incline Bench Press is a compound movement that targets the Upper Pectoralis Major, Sternal. The Barbell Bench Press is a great complimentary exercise to the Smith Machine Decline Press because as a free weight exercise it utilizes more muscle stabilizers required to balance and control the weight during exercise execution. Performing it on a flat bench will also work the middle chest (as oppose to the upper chest which the Smith Machine Incline Press targets).

Dumbbell Bench Press.The Dumbbell Bench Pressis an compound movement (An exercise that involves two or more joint movements) exercise that primarily develops the chest (Pectoralis Major).It allows you to work your chest and stabilizer muscles as well. It is a great complimentary exercise to the Smith Machine Incline Press because as a free weight dumbbell exercise it utilizes more muscle stabilizers required to balance and control the weight during exercise execution.Dumbbell movements are also good to throw into the mix because the arms can work independently of one another, allowing for a deeper stretch at bottom of movement. The deeper stretch also allows for a stronger conytraction and again the recruitment of more muscle fibers. This both can lead to better growth and bigger gains.

Dumbbell Pullover. The Dumbbell Pullover is an advanced movement that when performed properly will hit the chest at a different angles and employ muscle fibers not normally recruited standard chest building movements such as the bench press, pec deck and flyes. Employing the Dumbbell Pullover as part of your chest workout will aid in the full development of your chest pectorals.

Dips. Dips always are a great addiiton to a chest workout. They allow for a great stretch and the recuitment of muscle fibers that are not typically worked during pressing movements.

Bottom Line on the Smith Machine Decline Bench Press

Smith Machine Decline Bench Press is one of the best controlled movement incline press exercise out there targeting the upper chest. By using the Smith Machine Decline Bench Press with the controlled movement will allow you to concentrate on pushing heavier weight with not having to worry about balance.